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Moviemaking with Children: Making things Disappear (The Conjurer)

by Matthew Worwood September 12, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

Lucas likes to perform. He occasionally likes to perform magic tricks, which consist of ‘Daddy, look at this ball… I’m going to make it disappear… Now close your eyes… close your eyes… close your eyes… now open your eyes! As you can imagine the ball has ‘magically’ disappeared. This trick was very cute at first, though I had to watch out for any breakable items that might suffer when the OBJECT ‘magically’ disappeared. Recently I made the decision to burst his bubble and challenge him to make something ‘really’ disappear using the magic of film.

This can be achieved a lot easier than you may think, using a mobile device to replicate the effects used in an 1899 film called ‘The Conjurer’, Moviemaking with Children has never been easier.

This black and white movie applies a simple effect to achieve the illusion that a person has magically disappeared and then reappeared in a different location. Most of the marvel is in the performance and while it was highly innovative at the time, the same effect can be quickly accomplished using something like the iMovie app. All that is needed is a trick, performance, and a simple cut and delete in post-production. As you’ll quickly discover, keeping the camera still is an important component, so a mini tripod like the Joby is advisable, and once you get the creative juices flowing you’ll quickly generate alternative variations to the magic, and might even develop comfort to experiment with some of the special effects available in your moviemaking app.

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September 12, 2015 5 comments

Jonathan Furst

What if…..Your Child’s Imagination Could Soar!

by Dads for Creativity September 10, 2015

written by Dads for Creativity

Reading a story with your child, watching a movie together or listening to music with them all have the potential to take your child’s creative thinking skills to a new level.

Then by encouraging your child to respond thoughtfully to what they have read, heard or seen – you can also nurture the development of their imagination.

Asking your child, “What did you think about a book or movie?” often evokes a response such as, “It was good,” or “I didn’t really like it.”

When your kids are ready – my colleague Matthew Worwood suggests that you encourage your kids to take the next step: ask them how they would improve upon “the model” – in this case, what they have read (books), seen (movies) or heard (music).

MINOR PARENT PARTICIPATION can help expand the CREATIVE THINKING that manifests with a BAG OF LEGOS

If they are unsure of how they might improve upon someone else’s creation – try to engage them in a discussion that will prompt some responses.

My daughter recently finished a book that she didn’t like. When I asked what she didn’t like about it she said, “The ending.” This provided a great opportunity to go to the next level of analysis in an imaginative and playful mode.

I asked her, “If you could change the ending – what would you do?”

Sir Ken Robinson points out an important distinction between creativity and imagination in his groundbreaking book, “The Element.” If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. Essentially it is about using creativity to find your true purpose – or element:

Finding Your Element

According to Robinson, imagination deals with thinking of something that is not there. So after Natalie finished reading the book, h20 the two of us tried to imagine a different and better ending. (Creativity, by the way, then involves doing something meaningful with your imagination.)

A great way to jumpstart the imaginative juices in your kids is to play a game of “What if….”

For example:

-What if at the end of the movie, E.T. – Elliot decides to leave on the spaceship with E.T.!

The possibilities are endless. As my colleague and school librarian Cara McConnell points out:

-What if at the end of The Giving Tree – he plants a new tree.

-What if at the end of Cinderella – the shoe doesn’t fit.

-What if at the end of Green Eggs and Ham – he doesn’t like them.

Be attentive to your child’s responses to books and movies and songs – and take the time to help them go beyond their initial responses.

This activity can provide wonderful opportunities for the two of you to engage in explorations that will broaden their imagination and further develop their creative thinking skills.

September 10, 2015 6 comments

Matthew Worwood

Best moment of my vacation? Surrendering myself to my boy’s imagination (Play and Imagination)

by Matthew Worwood September 4, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

This weekend I had the opportunity to sort through the massive amount of photos that we took during our recent trip to Europe. Each image gave me an opportunity to reflect on the many wonderful moments that we shared as a family – and perhaps even identify the best moment of it all. Was it the amazing fish restaurant that we found on our last evening at the coast in Southern Italy? How about the delighted faces of three little cousins who found out they’ll be sleeping together in the same room? Taking a paddleboat out to a hidden beach and snorkeling with the fishes was a pretty cool moment as well – but then I found this one random picture that my wife took. It was of my eldest and me in the ocean, with our fingers stretched out towards each other. A giant Tsunami had just ripped him away from our boat, and as he was carried away by the giant wave he shouted back – ‘friends forever’. Obviously we were just playing, and the Tsunami was actually pronounced SirMarmi, but as I looked upon the image I remembered how immersed I had become in his fantasy world. As I slowly surrendered myself to join in with his play and imagination, the other people on the beach began to disappear and at moments I felt a genuine sense of loss for time and reality. I felt a true companion on my son’s adventure and it was by far the best moment of our trip (that and watching my soccer team win!).

Moments after the giant wave ripped us apart. As this point I was oblivious to the world around me.

This experience reminded me of the film ‘Hook’ where Robin Williams, who is the grownup Peter Pan, has returned to Never Land and forgotten how to play. The Lost Boys try desperately to engage his imagination, which will help unlock his happy thought and allow him to fly again, but sadly it’s impossible because he’s too serious and unable to take the time off from reality.

There is no reason why fantasy play should be exclusive to young children, and we as parents should take the opportunity to join in the fun and take some brief moments away from our busy lives. Granted we don’t have the time to play ‘everyday’ but we certainly can participate occasionally, and when we do we should surrender ourselves completely to our child’s imagination and just go with whatever they throw our way – adding only elements that compliment their worlds and challenge their imagination further. This is a creative act, it was probably our first creative act as children, and evidence suggests that the more opportunities you have as a young child to be creative, the more likely you are to seek out creative opportunities in life. So next time you’re alone with the kids for a day or weekend and you’re stuck for an activity – just play.

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September 4, 2015 0 comment

3 Question Interview Matthew Worwood

PLAY and CREATIVITY: 3 Question interview with Play Expert, Jeff Smithson

by Matthew Worwood August 29, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

‘Play is a space of discovery. It is how we originally approach the unknown: with a sense curiosity and wonder.’

– Jeff Smithson

Our writing on this blog primarily centers on the recognition and celebration of childhood creativity. We look for ways to identify and nurture creative thinking skills at home, and often find that many of these characteristics will manifest when kids play. In this 3 Question Interview with Play Expert Jeff Smithson, we explore what we mean by play, and how we as parents might better create the opportunities where it can flourish.

What do you consider Play? For instance are we talking about rough and tumble play, imaginative play, and the ‘playing’ of video games in the same sentence?

The word Play is similar to the word Love in that it covers an enormous spectrum of possibilities: from the mundane to the sacred. Like the word Love there is great value in a person or a family examining what Play means to them.

Play is a space of discovery. It is how we originally approach the unknown: with a sense curiosity and wonder.

My definition of the word Play changes depending upon who is in the room. Play has an openness that encompasses what and who are present in the moment. While it may be helpful to learn the appropriate developmental (play) stages for a specific age, learning to be in the playful space for one’s self, discovering Play as a state of being is of great benefit; you teach play through sharing your own playfulness and through mirroring what your child shares.

Optimally, Play is a space of freedom, a space of discovery that allows you to both be who you are AND, simultaneously, who you are becoming. In imagining, pretending, stretching and striving kids and adults develop themselves and each other.

In what ways does play support childhood development and the cultivation of creative thinking skills in your children?

In working with professionals in the field of Early Childhood Education I learned about 3 ways that parents/educators can engage their children in play (in increasing levels of involvement):

Observation: Set up a safe play area and allow the child to explore and discover on their own. Self-facilitated play offers opportunities for self-discovery. While they play ask yourself some questions:
- What if your child is your teacher?
  - What are you able learn from your child?
- How do they approach new experiences?
- What have they learned from you? vs. What have they discovered on their own?

Direction: Most children appreciate structure and rules. From the sidelines we can offer instructions, suggestions or encouragement. In instances of play, I believe it is important that we share without an insistence upon it being done the “right” way. I once met a poet from Northern Ireland who’s goal as a parent was to pass as few of his own neurosis on to his children.

Participation: Be a partner in Play. Take off the “Parent hat” and get on the same level as your kiddo. Shifting your physical perspective to that of the child is not only helpful in bonding it also offers insights into how they see the world.

Feigned Ignorance is a fun way to empower your child to be your teacher. Try using an object for something it is not (think banana as a telephone); This can elicit both laughter and learning.
Don’t be afraid to be Silly! Play with sounds, facial expressions, repeated gestures.
Use “I don’t know. What do you think?” or “Let’s figure it out together.”
And, keep in mind, the wonderful “What if…?”.

How might parents better facilitate and guide the type of play that is particularly conducive for Creativity?

Imagine Play as a state of being accessed by a connection with breath, a deep listening and curiosity without agenda.

Alphabet Animals (“the car ride game”):
- An Angry Ant in Atlanta that Ate Apples at Airplane school.
  - It doesn’t have to make sense!
  - [Structure: adjective, animal, (job?) who verbs in a place]

Story structure:
- Once upon a time there was a _________.
- Every day ___________.
- One day ____________.
- Because of that __________.
- Because of that __________.
- Because of that __________.
- Until finally: ____________.

What’s in the Box?

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As parents we are both conscious and unconscious models of behavior for our children. Play allows us to highlight transparency in our own learning process. By sharing both what and how we discover our kids will witness a parallel to their own experience of learning and becoming.

For many years Jeff has worked with kids with chronic and life-threatening illnesses as part of The Big Apple Circus Clown Care program and Paul Newman’s The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Hospital Outreach Program. He also teaches in the Physical Theater department at Trinity Rep/Brown University, and founded Proponent of Play in 2011. You can more about Jeff and his work at Proponentofplay.com, or alternatively check out his awesome TEDX talk below.

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August 29, 2015 1 comment

Matthew Worwood

MINOR PARENT PARTICIPATION can help expand the CREATIVE THINKING that manifests with a BAG OF LEGOS

by Matthew Worwood August 23, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

Ah Italy – what do we think about? Fine food, wine, crystal waters, sandy beaches… yes we experienced all of this during our family vacation, but also the unexpected, and a little more than occasional, thunder storm. What do you do with three children aged between 4-8 during a rain out in the mountains of Calabria? No Internet, no television, and dead iPads! In comes my brother-in-law to save the day with a suggestion of Legos. Legos? Luckily for us, my wife’s sister and husband who we were traveling with, had been sensible and packed accordingly, with enough of these wondrous bricks to be shared among three young energetic boys sitting around a kitchen table. The game was simple – create ‘something’ – which is not really anything unusual for Legos, but my bother-in-law integrated two additional elements that helped expand the creative thinking opportunities within this experience.

He informed all the boys that they would be presenting their creation to the group.
Each of them had to listen, and then respond with comments about what they liked about their cousins/brothers model.

Two simple additions, that not only helped engage them for more than 45 minutes, allowed these young children to showcase their imagination by explaining the purpose for each of the unique elements that they included on their model – and without explanation, would probably go unnoticed by most adults. The models were good, but receiving a detailed presentation made them all the more impressive, and allowed us to celebrate the creativity that had manifested over the past hour.

The feedback piece was also valuable to the cultivation for creativity, because it specifically relates to a previous article I’ve written about ways to introduce elements of Design-Based Thinking to young children. By facilitating comments on what they liked about each other’s creations, they were challenged to conduct simple observations and evaluations about theirs and others work. Had they been a little older we might have encouraged suggestions on ways to improve each model (and perhaps even getting them to think about the end-user as part of this experience).

After making a few observations - I feel the best bags of Lego must contain a few flats, wheels, long single row brinks, and a few unusual pieces from the space or fantasy sets!

I feel the best bags should contain a few flats, wheels, long single row brinks, and a few unusual pieces from the space/fantasy sets!

Yes this is a simple activity, and perhaps one that we might relate to a classroom, but how often do we as parents take them time to integrate ourselves into these types of activities? As an observer it still appeared to resemble ‘free play’ with Legos, and my brother-in-law was still able to go about his business during this time, but a few minutes of parent participation at the beginning and ending of this home-based activity helped expand upon the type of creative thinking that can manifest with a bag full of Legos.

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August 23, 2015 0 comment

Matthew Worwood

In what ways can we nurture Creative Thinking in young children at 30,000 feet?

by Matthew Worwood August 21, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

I get a little anxious before flying, I don’t know why, but it’s something that I’ve had for a while. However, since flying with my boys it’s certainly become less of an issue during the actual flight. As you can imagine, or have perhaps experienced, the preoccupation of crying toddlers, or needy little ones, in such a small confined space with little chance of exit, turns out to be the perfect distraction for any fear that might manifest during a period of light bumps – in fact I’ve actually began to feel a sense of excitement before each flight, as I’ve come to appreciate how this time can provide an opportunity to be at one with your family, absent from everyday distractions, and with a sense of adventure. You’re in the moment, where the Internet is (currently) non-existent, and your little ones are about to experience something new and exciting. They look to you for answer about the clouds, and geography, and space, and aerodynamics, and everything else that engages their curiosity during flight – I find it a magical time, that no longer has to be associated with panic and anxiety.

There’s also the opportunity to begin or complete planned activities that can stimulate creative thinking around your destination and journey. Sadly, this is not a post filled with completed examples, but does have six ideas that were partially tested prior to the interruptions of the 17-month old younger brother.

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August 21, 2015 0 comment

Matthew Worwood

My Magic Garden: What were your imaginary worlds?

by Matthew Worwood August 13, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

In the house where I grew up, you can sit at the kitchen table and look out at a reasonably sized garden for a London suburb. There’s a patio, followed by a flowerbed (that was once a pond), and then you go up into the lawn, which is surrounded by English bushes, and plays host to an impressive Apple Tree. For the not too serious gardening family, its something to be proud about, and certainly solicits the occasional compliment from its visitors – but for children – it’s more than your average garden, it’s a portal into an infinite number of imaginary worlds.

When I was young I remember how the Apple Tree (which had a companion at this time), transformed my garden into Sherwood Forest. I being Robin Hood, would sit up on that Apple tree, and with my Bow shoot arrows down to alert my Merry Men when strangers would come near. Other times, the garden would be a battlefield from World War II, and I would crawl through the bushes and bramble under the cover at night. Crushed blackberries would be used as blooded war wounds, and my Mom would pass my sandwiches through a gap in the Rose bush. My garden was a place where time seemed to pass seamlessly by, as I engaged my creative thinking skills to manifest a wide array of wondrous worlds.

Fast forward twenty years, and my current trip back home has allowed me to revisit some of this magic with my eldest best pal – who’s named it Daddy’s Park. I’m so happy that he appears able to engage in the same type of imaginative play that kept me happy as a child. Today we built a boat and sailed across a chocolate ocean that lay under great green fluffy clouds. Some of us might take this type of play for granted – I certainly did in my first year as a Grade One teacher almost ten years ago. I remember an incident with nine, six-year old boys in my class, who would just fight every playtime (or recess). One day, after one of them got hurt, I inquired as to why they didn’t play something else – something just as fun, but less aggressive, they replied by saying this was the only game they knew how to play. I remember being a little astonished at this response, and suggested one of my favorite playtime games as a kid – Knights of the Roundtable. One of them looked particularly baffled, and asked how they can play this without horses or swords. Sadly I had to literally teach them how to ride an imaginary horse, and conduct and imaginary sword fight – upon reflection this might turn out to be greatest gift I gave as a teacher. I remember thinking at the time, that I would make it a point to teach my kids how to engage in imaginative play, and use this magic to produce wondrous worlds where anything was possible.

I’m not quite sure what world Lucas had created, but I know I was an unwanted visitor, as whenever I came near he would run in his little box and say ‘it’s a human’.

I’m not sure if Lucas really needs the support on this front, or even if it’s something that can actually be taught, but it’s certainly been fun revisiting this experience with my boy, and taking the time to reflect on some of my own creative thinking as a kid. I think it’s important as parents we provide these opportunities by allocating time for the technology to be put away, and for the kids to get outside and just play. I can’t wait to see what adventures my guys will embark upon, and hopefully on occasion they might invite me along for the ride.

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August 13, 2015 0 comment

Jonathan Furst

Creativity and Stones

by Dads for Creativity August 8, 2015

written by Dads for Creativity

I recently spent six days at Kripalu where a true visionary, John Milton, (http://sacredpassage.com) guided a group of sixteen people from across the country on an extraordinary spiritual practice in nature. John taught us the basics of Tai chi and Qigong in the mornings and in the afternoons sent us out solo into the surrounding hills of the Berkshires on a “sacred passage.”

Using Taoist teachings as a starting point, he instructed us in how to use our five senses (and more) to make authentic connections with nature. Slowly we began to respond mindfully (moment to moment) and not automatically to sights, sounds, smells and source messages in nature. I found it difficult at first to shed the patterns of response that often surround and protect me. The daily practice of Qigong enabled me to begin to interact with people, occurrences and nature in creative and perceptive ways that I had never experienced.

Or so I thought.

I realized that I had experiences similar to the ones I had a Kirpalu – when I was a young kid: Playing games and going on backyard adventures – making spontaneous and imaginative connections that amused, surprised and, at times, frightened me. The channels of creativity were wide open and flowing. Then school took over specifically around fifth grade – at a strict, tie and jacket all-boys school where hard work, strict regimentation and order were rewarded. Imagination and creativity were left to wither.

Before I left Kripalu, I found five heart-shaped stones that I planned as gifts for my wife and ten year-old daughter. I was drawn to one stone – it had the color of the night sky with a shimmering white line like a shooting star.

When I got home, I wasn’t sure how to give 5 presents to 2 people.

But my daughter did.

We went to my outdoor writing studio and I laid out all the stones and asked her, “Which one are you drawn to?”

Natalie quietly looked at the heart shaped stones – experiencing each in her own way. She picked the most colorful one. “It’s the most childish – see all the colors,” she explained. “Automatic connection,” she smiled playfully, pointing two fingers to her eyes and then toward her stone.

She patiently looked from one stone to the other, and discovered a creative order and design to them that was crystal clear to her:

“This stone is for Mom because it has two paths – the big path is the one she’s taken for family and the other path is a developing path for her new business.”

“Why are you smiling?” Natalie asked when she chose the night sky stone for me. “It’s my favorite,” I told her.

I saw Natalie was very focused, but also having fun as she teased a story from the stones in front of her:

“And you see,” she added, “My stone is a combination of the colors in yours and Mom’s – because I’m a combination of both of you!”

Here were the basics of visual literacy in the form of a creative activity:

Playfully she was utilizing creative thinking skills to explore and map out information in the form of an image.

Two stones remained on the table in front of us:

She chose a dark stone with a moon-like circle for my wife to keep in her truck – because she explained, “It’s like yours and it will remind Mom of you. And it has different patterns – and she looks for style when she hunts for mid century furniture.”

She chose the final stone for me – “Look – the sand colors are like the colors in my stone and Mom’s.” “Okay, can I go now?” she asked me – already through the deck door and on to something new…..

The stones from nature launched my daughter into a creative and intuitive activity which parallels the wonderful cloud game that my colleague Matt Worwood wrote about in his posting: https://dadsforcreativity.com/when-did-you-last-play-the-cloud-game/

Visual literacy is a key skill today as information is increasingly exchanged in a digital multi-media format.

As parents we can encourage a wide range of creative thinking skills in our kids. One way is to become more present and patient as they explore and map out designs and ideas that spring from their imagination. These journeys often take routes that are beyond what we as parents can imagine – but that’s fine.

-Nature provides endless opportunities for parents and children to expand their senses and to open and channel creativity into new and different ways.

-Watch young kids play – they do this spontaneously and intuitively.

-Encouraging creative activities can be a central focus of how we interact with our kids especially as they begin to inch away from us and shape their own identities.

-As parents we sometimes have to be reminded of this as our kids leave their single digits and move into their tens and elevens where school regimentation and social pressure can inhibit their natural creativity.

-Take as many adventures into nature with your kids as you can – and together you may discover new connections there.

-As a parent be aware of how you might change the patterns of how you interact with your kids – to encourage more creative activities – and journeys that may take you and your kids to places you’ve never imagined.

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We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content via the comments below* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

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August 8, 2015 8 comments

3 Question Interview Gift Ideas for Creativity Matthew Worwood

Capturing Wonders with our Mobile Devices: 3 Question Interview with Phoneographer Bea Leiderman

by Matthew Worwood August 6, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

There are many cool things that parents can do with their children using smartphones – one of them is Phoneography – the capturing and editing of photos with a phone. In this 3 Question Interview, we introduce the OlloClip – a tiny camera lens that connects to a mobile device and helps capture unique perspectives of our world. When I talk about the potential of this little gadget with parents and educators, I usually go straight to a Bea Leiderman’s work, which is full of inspirational images that engage the curiosity and wonder that can be found in nature. Bea’s work has been shared in a number of her digital books that are available on iTunes. I asked her to provide some advice on Phoneography and how we might use this activity to engage creative thinking skills at home.

How do you take such awesome photos with a device like the iPhone?

The iPhone has a very powerful camera. I started taking photos with the iPhone 4. Now I’m using an iPhone 6 and I can see the difference when I look through my iPhone library. Each new iPhone has produced crisper images with better color reproduction. But, my macro shots do have outside help. I use the Olloclip lens, and I have also gone through a series of those.

It takes lots of patience to get macro shots in focus with the iPhone and the Olloclip. I have to get very close to the bugs. So, I have to employ one of two strategies with the fast ones. I either move faster than they do, or I wait and wait and wait until they get used to me and let me get close enough. Keep in mind that I have to get my lens about an inch away from my bug or everything will be blurry.

I find the best times to photograph bugs are early morning and close to sunset. The light is soft enough that it does not glare off wings, eyes, or shells.

What ‘technical’ advice can you offer parents on how to capture that perfect image?

While I don’t take bugs out of their environment, I do work hard to make them look beautiful and interesting. Working with something as small as an iPhone gives me the opportunity to find a good angle. I like showing bugs’ faces. Some look silly, some look serious, and some look surprised to be having their picture taken.

Bug pictures are not for everyone. Still, I think taking good pictures involves many of the same principles regardless of what you are shooting. Make sure what you want to showcase is clearly visible, so look for an angle where the background is not cluttered with distracting stuff.

How might Phoneography help cultivate creative thinking skills at home?

“Put your device down and go outside to play.” Has anyone heard this? Devices and the outdoors are not mutually exclusive. When kids take pictures of what they find when exploring the outdoors, they create a record for themselves. They also have the opportunity to observe and explore well after the weather has turned stormy. Photography teaches kids to observe, to look closely. With a bit of guidance, kids can make beautiful art with a camera.

When I share my bug photos with kids, I call attention to details that might not be noticeable when they see the bugs in the wild. With pictures, kids can notice all kinds of details and take their time comparing, making inferences, generating hypotheses. Kids could even write a book to share their findings with people all around the world. An app like Book Creator would be the perfect tool for the task.

Little kids love nature and exploring. They are also fascinated by the “ew” factor. I have been writing books for kids that showcase my pictures and are written in accessible language with the hope that the books will encourage parents to explore with their children to help keep the love of science learning alive. I have a big camera with a big macro lens, but I do all my work with my iPhone and my Olloclip because these are much more affordable and easier to use. So, anyone can do what I do.

Go outside. Find the beautiful bugs in your yard and other green spaces around you. You don’t have to go on a safari to a far away place to discover amazing creatures. Have fun and don’t stop learning.

Click here to view the full interview, or check out one of Bea’s four Digital Books, Calling Nature: Macro Photography and the iPhone, which shares more advice on how to go about working with Macro Photography with mobile devices and is available for free from the iTunes Store.

If you liked this article and interested in capturing video, check out another DadsforCreativity 3 Question Interview with Lego Animator, Alex Kobbs.

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content via the comments below* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

If you choose to comment via social media be sure to sure to include reference to @dads4creativityor share from our Facebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

August 6, 2015 2 comments

Matthew Worwood

Don’t throw away that box! Take it home and see what fun can be had (fun games with boxes)

by Matthew Worwood August 2, 2015

written by Matthew Worwood

I’ve been extremely busy at work this summer, with one project involving the delivery of some rather expensive items, which came with reasonably big boxes. There were so many of them scattered around the room it seemed unethical to throw them out – though we did, apart from one, which made it home to my little boy. I had originally planned to produce an unboxing video for YouTube, but sadly my wishes have taken a backseat to eldest’s ‘needs’ and in just over seven days, my box has served as a magicians table, frozen palace, volcano, part of a continent, and as you would expect, a house. It has literally become his favorite toy, and I doubt Mommy will be able to throw it out anytime soon. In fact, only today I was asked if I have anymore to bring home, so if anything we might be adding to the collection, and perhaps I still might be able to produce my unboxing video.

I’ve shared some pictures that clearly support the saying that kids love boxes (and all the fun games with boxes), and it’s been great to see or the characters and costumes that have manifested over the past week. Even little brother has got involved, though bog brother was not happy with his new squatter who would quickly occupy his home whenever he vacated for a few minutes.

A window was one of the first things to be added to the box.

Here is an example when little brother took advantage of the vacant box and iPad that has been used as the TV.

Such a fun, and extremely simple way to challenge your little one to produce and consider as many alternatives as possible – how many ways can we play with a box? So next time a big deliver comes your way, keep the box, throw it in the middle of the room, and grab your camera – because fun, play, and creative thinking will quickly follow.

If you liked this article you might want to check out It Doesn’t Go Here.

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content via the comments below* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

If you choose to comment via social media be sure to sure to include reference to @dads4creativityor share from our Facebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

August 2, 2015 2 comments

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FREE FILM for parents and educators

‘Play is a space of discovery. It is how we originally approach the unknown: with a sense curiosity and wonder.’

– Jeff Smithson

FREE FILM for parents and educators

FREE FILM for parents and educators

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FREE FILM for parents and educators

FREE FILM for parents and educators

FREE FILM for parents and educators

FREE FILM for parents and educators